The 42nd Annual Gracie Awards Left Us Inspired and Proud to Be Working Women in Media

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JUNE 06: Honoree Debbie Allen accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award onstage during the 42nd Annual Gracie Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Women in Media at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on June 6, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media)

At Celeb Secrets, we are all about women helping other women. The Alliance for Women in Media FoundationÂ holds a special place in our heart since we’re a full team of females running a media company, so when we were invited to the organization’s 42nd Annual Gracie Awards Gala,Â last Tuesday (June 6)Â we just couldn’t turn down the offer!Â

For those of you who don’t know,Â The Alliance For Women in MediaÂ is anÂ amazing organization run by women that support other women across all platforms including film, television, radio, and news. The organization also supports and promotes educational programs, charitable activities, and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and allied fields.

Veronica Toscano/Celeb Secrets

Held at the famous Beverly Wilshire – A Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, theÂ 42nd Annual Gracie Awards GalaÂ was filled with high-profile celebrities, inspiring speeches, girl power, and of course wine!

Host Jeannie Mai speaks onstage during the 42nd Annual Gracie Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on June 6, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media)

The host of the night was The Real talk show host and fashion expertÂ Jeannie Mai.Â She did an incredible job as a host honoring the most fierce women for their outstanding achievements in film, television, and media.

â€œI have the feels because I am actually standing in front of what I call real-life wonder women, who use their superpowers every day in their work,â€ said Mai, attributing her nerves to the energy in the room. â€œThese incredible women are laying the groundwork, breaking through barriers, and carving out paths of opportunities for other women to follow, and inspiring uncharted journeys ahead.â€

Actors Mandy Moore, Chrissy Metz and Susan Kelechi Watson accept an award onstage during the 42nd Annual Gracie Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Women in Media at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on June 6, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media)

Among the presenters were Awkwardâ€™sJillian Rose Reed, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’sRachel Bloom, andÂ Chrissy Metz, Mandy Moore, and Susan Kelechi WatsonÂ fromÂ NBC’s breakout family drama This Is Us, Â who also took home a well-deserved Gracie for Best Drama.

Honorees Dove Cameron and Garrett Clayton accept award onstage during the 42nd Annual Gracie Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Women in Media at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on June 6, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media)

Honoree Debbie Allen accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award from actors Jesse Williams and Vivian Nixon onstage during the 42nd Annual Gracie Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Women in Media at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on June 6, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media)

The biggest moment of the night had to be when Debbie Allen was honored for the Lifetime Achievement Award.Â The award was presented by Jessie Williams, who plays her son on the hit drama Grey’s Anatomy, and her daughter Vivian Nixon.

It was definitely an empowering moment when she went up on stage to receive the award. There was no one sitting in their seat as we all gave her a standing ovation.

In her acceptance speech, she said,Â â€œThis is a time for women to speak up loudly and to stand tall. I truly am honored as is my family and my own tribe. Thank you for continuing to inspire us to honor ourselves.”

No, thank YOU for inspiring us every day, Debbie!

Rachel Platten performs onstage during the 42nd Annual Gracie Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Women in Media at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on June 6, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media)

Last but certainly not least, singer/songwriter Rachel Platten took the stage to perform her smash hits “Fight Song” and “Stand By You.” Her performance was nothing but amazing, and was a perfect way to then accept the inaugural Gracies Impact Award.Â

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Veronica Toscano is an intern at Celeb Secrets. She is a communications major with a minor in TV/Film Production at Orange Coast College. She loves mac n cheese, art museums, photography, and film. In her free time, she enjoys going out to concerts, traveling, reading, and hanging out with friends.